Abstract: A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising multicomponent nanocomposite fibers that enable the nonwoven webs to possess high extensibility. The multicomponent nanocomposite fibers comprise two or more components. Each component comprises a polymer composition and at least one component comprises a nanoparticles composition. The nonwoven webs comprising the multicomponent nanocomposite fibers have an average elongation at peak load which is greater than the average elongation at peak load of comparable nonwoven webs without nanocomposite fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonwoven webs comprising monocomponent nanocomposite fibers that enable the nonwoven webs to possess high extensibility. The monocomponent nanocomposite fibers comprise a polymer composition and a nanoparticles composition. The nonwoven webs comprising the monocomponent nanocomposite fibers have an average elongation at peak load which is greater than the average elongation at peak load of comparable nonwoven webs without nanocomposite fibers.

Abstract: A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.